Couple force nozzle



F. B. TERRY COUPLE FORCE NOZZLE Filed Nov. 23, 1954 FIG. 3

Sept. 10, 1957 FIG. 2

United 2,sss,889

cooPLn FGRCE NGZZLE Foss B. Terry, Haworth, N. 3., assignor to Bendix Aviation Corporation, Teterboro, N. 5., a corporation of Delaware Application November 23, 1354, Serial No. 470,732

l'Ciaims. (Cl. 299-69) This invention pertains to cleaning and drying devices utilizing the kinetic energy of pressure driven fluids in their operations. It is particularly concerned with a novel type of nozzle for issuing such fluids.

The nozzle of the present invention is adapted to issue fluid against a surface in a unique manner whereby the issuing fluid is caused to attack the surface from a multitude of angles.

in general, the device of the present invention comprises a rotary nozzle adapted to rotate due to the couple forces produced by fluid issuing from it. As the nozzle rotates it provides a randomized fluid projection pattern.

The invention, though subject to wide application, finds special use as a cleaning and drying instrument in the application of wash solutions, rinses, gas jets and the like, with the purpose of using the kinetic energy of the pressurized fluid or gas stream to clean or dry a surface.

An object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a novel and improved form of rotary fluid nozzle.

A further object of the invention is to issue from a nozzle a randomized attacking fluid stream.

The invention further lies in the novel structure and arrangement of the various elements of the device in which the invention is embodied as well as in the cooperative association of the various elements thereof with one another to produce the results intended.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein an embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. it is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawing is for purposes of illustration and description only, and it is not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. l is an elevational View with parts cut away of a rotary nozzle device embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a modified form of a nozzle embodying the invention.

in describing the invention in further detail, reference is now directed to the drawing, particularly Figs. 1 and 2, wherein there is shown a rotary nozzle device embodying the invention and comprising a fitting 1 adapted at an end by suitable threading 2 to be connected by a suitable hose or other pipeline to a source of pressurized fluid supply, not shown, which fluid supply may be a gas or liquid detergent, drying agent, or the like. Threaded onto the other end 3 of the fitting is a cap member 4 having an axial bo-e therethrough, through which bore extends a. rotatable tube or nozzle element 5. The latter is mounted in the cap 4 over the end of fitting 1 for rotatable movement. An end 6 of the tube is flared so as to cover over the exit end of the fitting over which the tube is adapted to rotate. The exit end of fitting 1 is beveled so as to accommodate the flared end of the ice nozzle and so as not to interfere with the rotation of the latter. The nozzle element is retained in-the cap by a complementary flared formation 7 of the cap, against which the flared end of the nozzle bears as the nozzle rotates. The cap element 4 is threaded upon the nozzle fitting 3 in the assembly of the device in such manner so as to retain the nozzle element in rotatable relation relative to the fitting and to the cap. This position of the cap is set by a screw element 8.

It is intended that rotation of nozzle 5 will be efiected by couple forces created by the passage of fluid through it. The nozzle is formed to enable this effect. This may be eflected by providing a slight helical bend in the nozzle near the exit, asindicated at 9.

In the operation of the device couple forces created from the reaction of pressure fluid passing through the nozzle and issuing from the end thereof causes the nozzle to rotate. It is plain that this rotation of the nozzle will provide a wide and random pattern of attack of the issuing fluid against a surface. This fluid flow will strike the surface of an article at a multitude of angles, whereby a wide surface may be readily cleaned or dried, as the case may be. It can also readily be seen in a drying operation, how globular fluid particles may be quickly removed, or

. a fluid film rapidly disrupted and a fast drying operation effected. It can further be appreciated how obstinate dirt particles will be quickly removed by the issuing jet fluid attacking from many angles.

This expanse of fluid attack upon a surface, as Well as the varied angles of attack, may be further increased by slicing the exit end 11 of the nozzle ofi obliquely. This provides an enlarged elliptical-like exit for the issuing fluid of greater cross sectional area than the area of a cross section taken through the diameter of the tube 5.

in Fig. l the cap itself serves as a bearing for the rotating nozzle. To this end, an extended portion 12 of the cap both supports and acts as a bearing surface to the rotating nozzle element.

Fig. 3 shows a modified from of the invention. Here, the nozzle assumes a Y form having a pair of equally extending branches 14 communicating with a common line or stem 16. Each branch is formed with a slight helix to effect rotation of the device through couple forces created by the reaction of pressure fluid escaping through the branches. In this form, the stem 16 which rotates in the cap element is balanced in its rotation. A suitable bushing 17 contained in the cap member serves as a bearing for the stem of the nozzle. Due to the balanced hydraulic forces created by the equal length of the nozzle branches, there is a minimum of strain efiected by the rotating nozzle on the bearing.

While an embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be expressly understood that'the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes can be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as the same will now be understood by those skilled in the art, and it is my intent, therefore, to claim the invention not only as shown and described, but also in all such forms and modifications as may be reasonably construed to be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning device for issuing fluids in a random pattern attack against a surface for removal of particles of foreign material therefrom, comprising a fitting adapted at one end for connection to a source of pressure fluid supply, a cap fitted over the opposite and exit end of the fitting and having an axial bore therethrough in communication with a bore through the fitting, a" tubular member having ,a portion- 'thereof rotatably 'mounted within'th'e bore of the c'ap, said tubular'member having a free end portion and another end portion flared about the exit end of the fitting and retained Within the cap for rotary movement of the tubular member in the cap, means including a releasable element to secure said cap in spaced relation to the exit end of the/fitting and the flared end portion of the tubular member so that the flared endjiportion of the tubular member may freely rotate within the-cap and relative to the exit end of the fitting, the free'end portion of said tubular member having a helical bend and an elliptical-like exit of greater cross sectional area than at a diameter of the tubular member, the free end exit of said member, being so directedas to effect rotation of the tubular member in the cap inresponse to pressure fluid passing therethrough and out said free :end exit so that the pressure fluid issuing from said free end exit maybe directed in 'a Wide and random pattern against the aforesaid surface to effect the removal of the particles of foreign material from the surface.

2. A cleaning device for issuing fluids in arandom patternattack'against a surface for removal of particles of foreign material therefrom, comprising a fitting adapted "at one end for. connection to a source of pressure fluid supply, a cap fitted over the opposite and exit end of the fitting and having, an axial bore therethrough in communication with a bore through the fitting, a bushing mounted in the axial bore, of the. cap, a tubular member having a portion thereof rotatably positioned Within the bushing in the bore of the cap, said tubular member having a free endportion and another end portion flared about the exit end of the fitting, saidbushing acting as a bearing for the portion of the tubular member rotatably positioned therein, and said other end portion of the tubular member retained between the fitting and the bushing in said cap for rotary movement of the tubular member in the cap, means including a set screw to secure said cap in spaced relation to the exit end of'the fitting and the flared end portion of the tubular member so that the flared end portion of the tubular member may freely rotate within the cap and relative to the exit end of the fitting, the free end portion'of said tubular memher being of Y form having a pair of equal length branches junctioned to said tubular member, each of said branches having a helical bend and an elliptical-like exit of greater cross sectional area than at a diameter of the tubular member, the exits of said branches being so directed as to effect rotation of the tubular member in the cap in response to pressure fluid passing therethrough and out the'exits of said branches so that the pressure fluid issuing from said exits may be directed in a Wide and random pattern against the aforesaid surface to effect the removal of the particles of foreign material from the surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,036,765 Wismar Aug. 27, 1912 1,760,201 Macomber May 27, 1930 2,611,645 Forman Sept. 23, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Switzerland Sept. 1, 1934 

